Device and method for restoring and developing hand functions

ABSTRACT

A device for restoring and developing hand functions, containing a hand trainer, a control component which interacts with the hand trainer, strain gauges, a unit for collection and pre-processing of data, a personal computer for collecting, processing and storing data, visual and auditory communication devices. It may additionally contain an adjustable means for accommodating a user, and a hand trainer, affixed to the aforesaid adjustable means with the ability to be adjusted in the horizontal plane from at least one side, which is provided with hand restraints. The technical result of solving the present problem consists in expanding the applicability of the device within developmental pedagogy, increasing the functional capabilities thereof in the field of medicine by means of determining dynamics for joint angles development and hand extensions, and in enhancing user quality of life.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of medicine and developmentalpedagogy and may be used in restoring and treatment of patients havingpathology of the central nervous system and motor impairments of theupper extremities, in psychological and pedagogical rehabilitation andcorrection, and also in carrying out developmental training.

BACKGROUND

One of the most serious consequences of the central nervous systemdamage is a hand dysfunction, which plays an important role inrestrictions on patients' activity. Restoring motion in the hands ofpatients after injuries and diseases of the central nervous system isstill an actual problem to be solved at new theoretical andtechnological levels.

Usage of biofeedback (BFB) techniques significantly improves aneffectiveness of restoring actions. Under BOS it is understood a complexof procedures in which man through the outer feedback loop is providedby information about the state of some of his physiological functions inorder to train “conscious” control of these functions. Biofeedbackcontrol allows the patient to seek control (self-control) of voluntarymovement parameters, to cause and fix their shifts in the requireddirection. In particular, returning information on characteristics ofhis movements back to the patient increases the opportunities of hiscontrol. The most effective use of biofeedback is for restoring ofmovement functions of patients with impaired sensitivity. The additionaluse of vision for tracking of patient's movement parameters allows tocompensate lack of information flow through superficial and deepsensibility conductors. The use of biofeedback can significantly improvevoluntary control of movements also of patients with apraxia, whosepossibility of voluntary targeted actions violated by destruction of thecortical level of the cerebrum.

Biofeedback devices for treatment and rehabilitation of the upperextremities are widely represented on the market of modern medicaltechnology, for example, HandTutor (www.meditouch.co.iD), Hand of Hope(www.rehab-robotics.com), Gloreha (www.gloreha.coni), Amadeo(www.turomotion.com). These devices are intended for a medicalapplication only; they have a high cost/functionality ratio. Besides,they represent a playing format of visual biofeedback in the form of acomputer game, but long-term user's playing the computer games is acause of dependence—game addiction that has a negative impact on hismental state. These devices have no system of definition of objectivefactors (weather conditions) significantly influencing on the process ofrehabilitation and treatment and, therefore, do not allow makecorrections in these processes depending on these factors.

A known toy—trainer for the development of motor skills of the handfingers, protected by the Russian Federation useful model patent JV.97267, IPC A61N1/02, A63V23/16, publ. 10 Sep. 2010. The toy has a caseof sheet material and filler inside it. The case is made of sheetmaterial such as polyethylene, divided into sealed sections with a sizesmaller than the size of the pads of the fingers. Sections aredistributed along the case in an appropriate manner and raised over oneor both sides of the case. Air is used as the filler which is filledeach section, at that each section is adapted to be destroyed bypressing on it with fingers of one hand, at least a child.

The disadvantage of this toy—trainer is lack of biofeedback.Consequently, the interest and effectiveness of training using thistrainer is low.

A known device for the development of motor skills of hand fingers,protected by RF patent 2290909, IPC A61N1/00 A63V23/16, publ. 10 Jan.2007.

The device for the development of motor skills of hand fingers includesa spring mechanism disposed in the body. The spring mechanism consistsof a set of plate springs arranged to replace them and moving along thegrooves in the body. Plate springs have pieces protruding from the body.Free ends of plate springs are connected to elements of hand-puppetcontrols. The disadvantage of this device is the impossibility ofcollection, processing and storage of information on electronic mediaabout the dynamics of development of motor skills of the fingers.Therefore, it does not allow to analyze and predict the results of therehabilitation activities, therewith, it does not have the system todetermine the environmental parameters affecting the process oftreatment, restore and development of hand functions, thus, does notallow make corrections to these processes depending on these factors.

Known robotic rehabilitation complex ReoGo (manufacturer: Motorika,Israel) for functional therapy of the upper extremities with extendedfeedback. This complex is designed to develop and enhance locomotor andgrasping functions (info@mednt.ru).

Education on the robotic platform ReoGo based on multiple repetitions offunctional directed movements of patients and response to them. Theinternal feedback is carried-out through sensory pathways, and externalfeedback—through a visual image, control (targeting), training. Theexercises are directed to restore the ability of hands to reach theobjects and make movements common to the healthy hand.

The disadvantage of this complex is a limited scope of use—medicine,narrow functional capabilities—development and enhancement of locomotorand grasping functions only.

The closest device to the invention being proposed with regard totechnical essence and achieved result, which is chosen as a prototype,is a device for rehabilitation, protected by RF patent>r° 2282430, IPCA61N1/00 A63V24/00, publ. 27 Jun. 2008.

The device includes a spring hand trainer, strain gauges, a personalcomputer for data collection, processing and storage and a hand-puppet.The hand-puppet is connected to the trainer. The trainer and straingauges are placed under the hand of the patient.

The disadvantage of this device is a limited scope of use—medicine, pooreffectiveness due to lack of the possibility to determine the dynamicsof changes in joint angles of the hands, as important measures duringtreatment and rehabilitation activities for restoring and development ofhand functions. Also, this device does not allow to determine thedynamics of the extension movements of the hands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to develop a new, more effective devicefor restoring and developing of hand functions with biofeedback.

The technical result of solving the present problem consists inexpanding the applicability of the device within developmental pedagogy,increasing the functional capabilities thereof in the field of medicineby means of determining dynamics for joint angles development and handextensions, and in enhancing user quality of life.

This result is achieved by a device for restoring and developing handfunctions, containing a hand trainer, a control component whichinteracts with the hand trainer, strain gauges, a unit for collectionand pre-processing of data, a personal computer for collecting,processing and storing data, visual and auditory communication devices.It additionally contains an adjustable means for accommodating a user,and a hand trainer, affixed to the aforesaid adjustable means with theability to be adjusted in the horizontal plane from at least one side,which is provided with hand restraints.

As the object of control, the device may contain a puppet.

Adjustable means for accommodating a user may additionally containscreens for providing visual information.

Hand trainer at the free ends of the plate springs from the fingers'side may additionally contain removable elements with differentroughness and density degree for stimulation of tactile receptors.

As strain gauges the device may contain two-position strain gauges.

The device may additionally contain a set of meccanos puppets as thecontrol object.

The device may additionally contain a system of contactless gesturecontrol of personal computer in three-dimensional space.

The device may additionally comprise elements of the pre-motordevelopment of the hand fingers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The aforesaid and other aspects and advantages of the present inventionare disclosed in the following detailed description given withreferences to the drawings figure.

FIG. 1: The device being claimed for restoring and developing handfunctions.

FIG. 2: Hand trainer

FIG. 3: Set of meccanos puppets of different colors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device for the recovery and development of hand functions contains ahand trainer 1 with lock of arms 2, the control object 3, the device ofthe visual 4 and auditory 5 connection to hand trainer, block 6 ofcollection and pre-processing, environmental monitors 7, the PC 8 forthe collection, processing and storage of information, adjustable means9 to accommodate the user 10 with protruding armrests 11 to be placedunder the right and (or) the left hand with the possibility of adjustingthe position in the horizontal plane and fixing hand trainer with thecontrol object, screens 12 to provide visual information, 13 system forcontactless gesture control PC 13, the elements 14 for thepre-development of motor skills of the fingers. Hand trainer 1 in turncomprises a two-position strain gauges 15, plate springs 16, finger tabs17, removable elements 18 for stimulation of tactile receptors.

The proposed device for restoring and developing hand functions is usedas follows.

Adjustable means 9 for accommodating the user as well as the positionadjustment in the horizontal plane and fixing hand trainer allows you toconfigure the device for a comfortable and convenient arrangement of aspecific user 10, it is very important during medical and developmentalactivities. The screens (12) allows you to attach or draw on them indifferent ways depending on the material of the screen (metallicscreen—magnets, wooden screen—buttons) background images to enhance theappeal, interest and meaning when conducting medical and developmentalactivities, thus improving their performance. Motivation andeffectiveness is improved during their studies. Using the device controlobject 3 interacting with a hand trainer 1, allows for a kinematic modelto develop the motor skills of the fingers with adjustable parameters ofbiofeedback—visual and auditory. Puppets used as a control object 3combine two methods—motor (mechanical) restoring and developing of motorskills of hands and method of art therapy in psychotherapy—the game witha puppet. In this case, the puppet can be regarded as a projectiveobject transfer and expression of emotions. The inventive device is usedas a puppet of one of the control parameters of biofeedback. The user isgiven an audible and tactile signal controlled via two-position straingauges 15 and visible control signal—motion of the puppets recognized invisual communications device 4, in which mirror can be used, a videocamera with a monitor, video projector with a screen.

Puppet serves as an external control object that allows to carry out inthe movements of the user, and therefore make them more consciouslycontrollable, what makes it possible to make better use of biofeedbackprinciples.

Meccanos puppets with different coloring allow the user to choose andcollect the puppet according to his age and mental state. The colorspectrum and puppets images give the specialist (psychologist) abilityon the basis of the previously developed tests, such as Luscher test, todetermine the psychological state of the user, as an important factorinfluencing the process of restoring and development functions of thehands, and if it is necessary, to carry out its correction from negativestate to positive.

During the assembling of puppets the user develops a motility offingers, trains tactile receptors located on the fingertips, therebydeveloping cerebral cortex, which receives signals from touch receptors.At the same time restoring and (or) developing the motor skills of thefingers the user's speech recovers and (or) develops, as the speechcenters (Brava) and the motor centers in the brain interact closely.

The image of puppet and its colors are entered using the software in thepersonal computer 8 throughout the course of treatment and (or)developing lessons. This makes it possible to determine the dynamics ofchanges in the psychological state of the user and, if necessary, tocarry out its adjustment by means of special techniques.

Tactile sensations are one of the first sensations of living organisms.In humans, the signals from the touch receptors located on the balls ofthe fingers go directly to the cortex. By stimulating the tactilereceptors they stimulate, restore and (or) develop cerebral cortex.Presence of removable elements 18 for stimulation of the tactilereceptors of varying degrees of roughness and density at the free endsof the plate springs 16 of hand trainer 1 connected with controls puppetby fingers also extends the functionality of the device, improve itsefficiency during the treatment and (or) developing classes.

Hand spring trainer prototype, based on the structural features, theelement used an electronic database and software allows real-timemonitor, analyze and store information about dynamics of flexionmovements of the hands.

For the full restoring and developing functions of the hands,information on the dynamics of the extensor movements is needed. Thepresence in the proposed hand trainer 1 two-position strain gauges 15,allows you to control both flexion and extension movements of the hands.Recording of this information is also required for correction ofrestoring and developmental activities. This property significantlyenhances the functionality of the device.

One of the most important parameters characterizing the functional stateof the hands is joint angle between the different parts thereof.Availability and use of system 13 for contactless gesture control ofpersonal computer in three dimensional space allows to use specialsoftware to determine the joint angles in the course of treatment and(or) developing activities and, thus to determine the dynamics ofchanges in hands movement range. Data on the joint angles are alsorecorded in the personal computer, that makes it possible to determinein real time changes both in the process of training themselves andthroughout the course of study and, if necessary, to make corrections oftreatment and (or) developing procedures. In addition, system 13 forcontactless gesture control allows to enter information quickly into thepersonal computer on the functional status of the user's hands.

Currently, several technologies for contactless gesture control ofcomputer in three dimensional space are developed. Thus, operatingprinciple of CtestIC Microchip Techne Lody system (www.Microchip.com/CtestIC) is to analyze the changes of electric fieldcharacteristics caused by the movement of the hands. A technologyproposed by Elli Ptic Labs is based on usage of ultrasound and an arrayof sensitive microphones to detect the position and movement of handsnear the computer screen. Leap Motion's technology uses infrared sensorsthat trace the user's hand movements with unprecedented accuracy (0.01mm) and display them on the screen. Usage of the contactless gesturecontrol in three-dimensional space expands the functionality of thedevice, at that this system can be used both as a part of the device andseparately from it for other tasks.

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of training on the proposeddevice, at first it is required to “stretch” and “warm up” hand fingers.For these purposes, generally warm water, warm sand and specialexercises are used. For these purposes, elements 14 may be used as wellfor preliminary development of motor skills of fingers. Spring rings ofdifferent geometry and different colors are used as these elements. Therings are produced from material with different elasticity degree. Theymust be collected in a chain or chains to be disassembled to componentsper the given algorithm. Furthermore, carpal expanders, clips ofdifferent sizes and of different elasticity degree, or other structurescan be used as these various elements.

Elements 14 for preliminary development of motor skills of the handfingers can be used as a part of the device being claimed and separatelyfrom it.

It should be noted—the interaction between the separate elements of thedevice is conducted through cables or by wireless communication, or bycombination thereof.

The device allows to perform both individual and group training onrestoring and developing hand functions.

An additional point is that when developing of appropriate procedures,the device allows to perform diagnostics (including earlier detection)of various diseases associated with dysfunction of the hands,diagnostics of neuromuscular apparatus of the hands, analysis andforecast of restoring and developing of hand functions.

The device for restoring and developing of hand functions works asfollows.

User 10, comfortably accommodating at the adjustable means 9, puts hishand on the lodgment in front of system 13 for contactless gesturecontrol of the computer. The hand of his arm is scanned. This image istransferred and recorded into personal computer 8. Using specialsoftware, parameters of the hand joint angles are defined. Theseparameters are displayed in the form of figures and recorded into thememory of computer 8. Then the user selects a set of spring rings, basedon his physical and psychological condition, and collects chains fromrings according to the set algorithm. Before it is possible to conductthermal procedures and various exercises. Thus, preliminary developmentof motor skills of the fingers occurs. Data on the rings (geometryparameters, elasticity and quantity) is recorded into computer 8. Then,the user selects a set of puppets and design a puppet based on hispsychological state. Data on the puppet (type, color range) is enteredinto computer 8 for storage. Then, the puppet is fixed on hand trainer1, which is affixed to the protruding armrest 11. User 10 starts tocontrol the puppet according to a certain previously developedtechnique. Data on finger efforts is received in block 6 of collectionand pre-processing of the information, and then entered into computer 8,processed and displayed in the form of graphs or column charts. Duringtreatment and (or) developing training for stimulation of tactilereceptors on the ends of the plate springs 16, removable elements 18 canbe fixed with different roughness degree. Data on the roughness degreeof removable elements 18 is also entered into computer 8. After trainingon hand trainer 1, the joint angles are measured again. Thus, thedynamics of their change is determined and effectiveness of training onhand trainer 1 is monitored. The information from the two-positionstrain gauges 15, data on the joint angles, as well as individual userinformation throughout all treatment and (or) development training isrecorded into personal computer 8, where it is processed and stored.

The device for restoring and developing hand functions can bemanufactured as follows.

As an example of the claimed device, a tabletop of height-adjustablemeans 9 for user's accommodation is made of phenol-impregnated modifiedwool, sharp corners are smoothed to avoid the possibility of injuryduring training and frame is made of 20×20 mm metal profile. It has thetelescopic supports to change its height. Screens 12 are double-layered;the base is 5 mm thick plywood, on which metal sheets with the thicknessof 0.5 mm are fixed. Such design of screen 12 allows to fix thebackground image using magnets. Used meccano is a set ofpuppets—Pinocchio, 8 colors. Block 6 for collection and preliminaryprocessing of data is produced based on ADAM and ICOS Remote DataAcquisition and Control Modules.

To determine the real-time dynamics of joint angles changing andoperational input of information on the functional status of the handsinto computer 8, system 13 of contactless gesture control of Leap Motioncompany is used. The system is connected to the computer using USBcable.

Abrasive paper with different grain sizes is used for stimulation oftactile receptors as the removable elements 18. Sensotek microtwo-position strain gauges of Honeywell company are used in the device.

As elements 14 for the pre-development of motor skills of the fingers, aset of rings of different diameter and a different paint color made ofspring wire of HGSA grade with varying degrees of elasticity. Thus, anew and more effective device for restoring and developing handfunctions is proposed.

In comparison with the prototype, this device allows essentially extendits application scope and it far exceeds prototype's functionalcapabilities and enhances users' quality of life.

For specialists may be obvious other variants of carrying-out theinvention that do not alter its essence, as it is disclosed herein.Accordingly, the invention should be considered limited in scope only bythe following formula of invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for restoring and developing handfunctions, comprising: a hand trainer, a control object configured tointeract with the hand trainer, strain gauges, a unit configured tocollect and pre-process data, a personal computer configured to collect,process and store data, visual and auditory communication devices, andadjustable means configured to accommodate a user, wherein the handtrainer is affixed to the adjustable means to be adjusted in ahorizontal plane from at least one side, the hand trainer comprises handrestraints.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable meanscomprise screens to configured to provide visual information.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the hand trainer contains additionallycontains at free ends of plate springs from fingers' side removableelements with different degrees of roughness and density, said removableelements are configured to stimulate tactile receptors.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the strain gauges are two positional strain gauges. 5.The device of claim 1, wherein the control object contains a puppet. 6.The device of claim 1, wherein the control object contains a set ofmeccanos puppets.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a systemfor contactless gesture control of a personal computer inthree-dimensional space.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprisingelements configured to pre-develop fine motor skills of fingers.